Welfare Definition

wĕlfâr
noun
The state of being or doing well; condition of health, happiness, and comfort; well-being; prosperity.
Webster's New World
The organized efforts of government agencies that grant aid to the poor, the unemployed, etc.
Webster's New World
Such aid.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Welfare

Noun

Singular:
welfare
Plural:
welfares

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Welfare

  • on welfare
  • on welfare

Origin of Welfare

  • From Middle English welfare, probably from the Old English phrase wel faran (“to fare well, get along successfully, prosper") (cognate with Middle Low German wolvare (“welfare"), Old Norse velferð, Swedish välfärd and Dutch welvaart.) Equivalent to well +"Ž fare.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from wel faren to fare well from Old English wel faran wel well well2 faran to get along fare

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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